On occasion, when a classroom teacher hereabouts can't arrange a speaking date with top-tier talent at a school, your correspondent is called upon to make an appearance. Oh, it's never put to me like that, of course -- most teachers are diplomatic enough to flatter me by noting that I was their first choice, followed by John Glenn, Bill Clinton and one of the Backstreet Boys. But I know what's going on, and that's OK. Speaking at a school is still a nice chance to connect with the next generation. (OK, the generation after the next generation.)

At such times, I stay away from controversy, make sure to watch my language, dress neatly, try to be a good role model and always take a sack full of candy for handing out as a finale.

Alas, that might not be good enough for the Wake County schools any more, and apparently I'll have to make a solemn written promise to mind my P's and Q's. A new form is required of guest speakers, something that is a direct reaction to the big hoo-haw that resulted last year when a teacher at Enloe High School had an evangelical Christian in to speak. The evangelist, it was reported, put down Islam in no uncertain terms. The teacher, Robert Escamilla, has been awash in attention and controversy ever since and was transferred to another school. The form is intended to ensure that the episode does not repeat a grade, so to speak.

On this road of good intentions, the school system has suffered a flat and run into the ditch. This is going too far. Principals ought to be able to set some guidelines for outside speakers appropriate to the grades in their schools, discuss it with teachers and move on. Just because there's been a problem with a speaker in the past doesn't mean another bureaucratic step is needed. A new form is not always the answer, if ever.

Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison is twice elected and a nice and respectable fellow who's certainly going to tell youngsters to stay on the straight and narrow whenever he appears before them. He is not especially known for raucous behavior or inappropriate language, although -- and I hope this doesn't cause the sheriff a problem -- I did overhear him say, "Darn it!" once. Why, the sheriff even declined to confirm for me the old saying about law enforcement and cheating a bit on the speed limit: "Nine you're fine and 10 you're mine."

He doesn't like the idea of his having to sign a form, and he's right. "I've always been honest," he said. "I'm not going to sign a form saying I'll be honest."

The N&O reported that speakers have to agree not to denigrate any culture, race, gender, national origin or religion. They have to promise to be accurate and to dress appropriately and to behave themselves with good language.

The idea that speakers ought to behave in such a way is well and good, but teachers and principals have enough sense to know the difference between inviting the choir director from First Baptist and inviting Keith Richards.

Naturally, it wouldn't be fair, and would make the whole matter worse, to require the form of some and not of all, so presumably every speaker will have to sign.

So let's assume, f'rinstance, that Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court comes to town and agrees to speak at a middle school. What if he declines to sign the form -- one presumes he would be shown the door. If the man's not willing to bow to the school pooh-bahs, the logic goes, then he needs to get on back to Washington and stick to his little Constitution or whatever.

And suppose that actor and much-beloved North Carolinian Andy Griffith happened to be in Raleigh and was available to talk to students about acting and the like? Sorry, pal, but the fact that you were the star of the most admired television series in history and the state's Native Son No. 1 cuts no ice with us. Sign the form or get outta here.

Let's say the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham, the most prominent and admired Christian evangelist in the world, is suddenly brought to town and invited to make a talk at Enloe High School. No so fast. Sign on the line there, Rev, or we'll need you to take a hike, and, sorry, but we've already towed your car.

No form is always better than bad form.